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Ajmeera D, Ajumeera R. Drug repurposing: A novel strategy to target cancer stem cells and therapeutic resistance. Genes Dis 2024; 11:148-175. [PMID: 37588226 PMCID: PMC10425757 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is an effortless and frequently used approach in cancer therapy. However, in most cases, it can only prolong life expectancy and does not guarantee a complete cure. Furthermore, chemotherapy is associated with severe adverse effects, one of the major complications of effective cancer therapy. In addition, newly published research outputs show that cancer stem cells are involved in cancer disease progression, drug resistance, metastasis, and recurrence and that they are functional in the trans-differentiation capacity of cancer stem cells to cancer cells in response to treatments. Novel strategies are therefore required for better management of cancer therapy. The prime approach would be to synthesize and develop novel drugs that need extensive resources, time, and endurance to be brought into therapeutic use. The subsequent approach would be to screen the anti-cancer activity of available non-cancerous drugs. This concept of repurposing non-cancer drugs as an alternative to current cancer therapy has become popular in recent years because using existing anticancer drugs has several adverse effects. Micronutrients have also been investigated for cancer therapy due to their significant anti-cancer effects with negligible or no side effects and availability in food sources. In this paper, we discuss an ideal hypothesis for screening available non-cancerous drugs with anticancer activity, with a focus on cancer stem cells and their clinical application for cancer treatment. Further, drug repurposing and the combination of micronutrients that can target both cancers and cancer stem cells may result in a better therapeutic approach leading to maximum tumor growth control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Ajmeera
- Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India
| | - Rajanna Ajumeera
- Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India
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2
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Sarhan MO, Haffez H, Elsayed NA, El-Haggar RS, Zaghary WA. New phenothiazine conjugates as apoptosis inducing agents: Design, synthesis, In-vitro anti-cancer screening and 131I-radiolabeling for in-vivo evaluation. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106924. [PMID: 37871390 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Phenothiazines (PTZs) are a group of compounds characterized by the presence of the 10H-dibenzo-[b,e]-1,4-thiazine system. PTZs used in clinics as antipsychotic drugs with other diverse biological activities. The current aim of the study is to investigate and understand the effect of potent PTZs compounds using a group of In-vitro and In-vivo assays. A total of seventeen novel phenothiazine derivatives have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated primarily in-vitro for their ability to inhibit proliferation activity against NCI-60 cancer cell lines, including several multi-drug resistant (MDR) tumor cell lines. Almost all compounds were active and displayed promising cellular activities with GI50 values in the sub-micromolar range. Four of the most promising derivatives (4b, 4h, 4g and 6e) have been further tested against two selected sensitive cancer cell lines (colon cancer; HCT-116 and breast cancer; MDA-MB231). The apoptosis assay showed that all the selected compounds were able to induce early apoptosis and compound 6e was able to induce additional cellular necrosis. Cell cycle assay showed all selected compounds were able to induce cell cycle arrest at sub-molecular phase of G0-G1 with compound 6e induced cell cycle arrest at G2M in HCT-116 cells. Accordingly, the apoptotic effect of the selected compounds was extensively investigated on genetic level and Casp-3, Casp-9 and Bax gene were up-regulated with down-regulation of Bcl-2 gene suggesting the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. In-vivo evaluation of the antitumor activity of compound 4b in solid tumor bearing mice showed promising therapeutic effect with manifestation of dose and time dependent toxic effects at higher doses. For better evaluation of the degree of localization of 4b, its 131I-congener (131I-4b) was injected intravenously in Ehrlich solid tumor bearing mice that showed good localization at tumor site with rapid distribution and clearance from the blood. In-silico study suggested NADPH oxidases (NOXs) as potential molecular target. The compounds introduced in the current study work provided a cutting-edge phenothiazine hybrid scaffold with promising anti-proliferation action that may suggest their anti-cancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona O Sarhan
- Labelled Compounds Department, Hot Lab Centre, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Egypt
| | - Hesham Haffez
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, 11795 Cairo, Egypt; Center of Scientific Excellence "Helwan Structural Biology Research, (HSBR)", Helwan University, 11795 Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Nosaiba A Elsayed
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, 11795 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Radwan S El-Haggar
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, 11795 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wafaa A Zaghary
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, 11795 Cairo, Egypt.
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3
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Singh N, Khan FM, Bala L, Vera J, Wolkenhauer O, Pützer B, Logotheti S, Gupta SK. Logic-based modeling and drug repurposing for the prediction of novel therapeutic targets and combination regimens against E2F1-driven melanoma progression. BMC Chem 2023; 17:161. [PMID: 37993971 PMCID: PMC10666365 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-023-01082-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma presents increasing prevalence and poor outcomes. Progression to aggressive stages is characterized by overexpression of the transcription factor E2F1 and activation of downstream prometastatic gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Appropriate therapeutic manipulation of the E2F1-governed GRNs holds the potential to prevent metastasis however, these networks entail complex feedback and feedforward regulatory motifs among various regulatory layers, which make it difficult to identify druggable components. To this end, computational approaches such as mathematical modeling and virtual screening are important tools to unveil the dynamics of these signaling networks and identify critical components that could be further explored as therapeutic targets. Herein, we integrated a well-established E2F1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) map with transcriptomics data from E2F1-expressing melanoma cells to reconstruct a core regulatory network underlying aggressive melanoma. Using logic-based in silico perturbation experiments of a core regulatory network, we identified that simultaneous perturbation of Protein kinase B (AKT1) and oncoprotein murine double minute 2 (MDM2) drastically reduces EMT in melanoma. Using the structures of the two protein signatures, virtual screening strategies were performed with the FDA-approved drug library. Furthermore, by combining drug repurposing and computer-aided drug design techniques, followed by molecular dynamics simulation analysis, we identified two potent drugs (Tadalafil and Finasteride) that can efficiently inhibit AKT1 and MDM2 proteins. We propose that these two drugs could be considered for the development of therapeutic strategies for the management of aggressive melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedita Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, BBDCODS, BBD University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Faiz M Khan
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Lakshmi Bala
- Department of Biochemistry, BBDCODS, BBD University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Julio Vera
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India
- Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Brigitte Pützer
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stella Logotheti
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, Athens, Greece
| | - Shailendra K Gupta
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
- Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India.
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Hsu CY, Yang WT, Lin JH, Lu CH, Hu KC, Lan TH, Chang CC. Sertindole, an Antipsychotic Drug, Curbs the STAT3/BCL-xL Axis to Elicit Human Bladder Cancer Cell Apoptosis In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11852. [PMID: 37511611 PMCID: PMC10380261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is the leading urinary tract malignancy. Epidemiological evidence has linked lower cancer incidence in schizophrenia patients to long-term medication, highlighting the anticancer potential of antipsychotics. Sertindole is an atypical antipsychotic agent with reported anticancer action on breast and gastric cancers. Yet, sertindole's effect on bladder cancer remains unaddressed. We herein present the first evidence of sertindole's antiproliferative effect and mechanisms of action on human bladder cancer cells. Sertindole was cytotoxic against bladder cancer cells while less cytotoxic to normal urothelial cells. Apoptosis was a primary cause of sertindole's cytotoxicity, as the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk rescued cells from sertindole-induced killing. Mechanistically, sertindole inhibited the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), an oncogenic driver of bladder cancer, as sertindole lowered the levels of tyrosine 705-phosphorylated STAT3 along with that of STAT3's target gene BCL-xL. Notably, ectopic expression of the dominant-active STAT3 mutant impaired sertindole-induced apoptosis in addition to restoring BCL-xL expression. Moreover, bladder cancer cells overexpressing BCL-xL were refractory to sertindole's proapoptotic action, arguing that sertindole represses STAT3 to downregulate BCL-xL, culminating in the induction of apoptosis. Overall, the current study indicated sertindole exerts bladder cancer cytotoxicity by provoking apoptosis through targeted inhibition of the antiapoptotic STAT3/BCL-xL signaling axis. These findings implicate the potential to repurpose sertindole as a therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Yu Hsu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung 435403, Taiwan
- Doctoral Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402202, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Yang
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402202, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Hwa Lin
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsing Lu
- Doctoral Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402202, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407219, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Cheng Hu
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402202, Taiwan
| | - Tsuo-Hung Lan
- Tsaotun Psychiatric Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Nantou 542019, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli 350401, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Che Chang
- Doctoral Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402202, Taiwan
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402202, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Rong Hsing Translational Medicine Research Center, The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Research Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402202, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 413305, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404327, Taiwan
- Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
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5
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Brown JS. Treatment of cancer with antipsychotic medications: Pushing the boundaries of schizophrenia and cancer. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104809. [PMID: 35970416 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Over a century ago, the phenothiazine dye, methylene blue, was discovered to have both antipsychotic and anti-cancer effects. In the 20th-century, the first phenothiazine antipsychotic, chlorpromazine, was found to inhibit cancer. During the years of elucidating the pharmacology of the phenothiazines, reserpine, an antipsychotic with a long historical background, was likewise discovered to have anti-cancer properties. Research on the effects of antipsychotics on cancer continued slowly until the 21st century when efforts to repurpose antipsychotics for cancer treatment accelerated. This review examines the history of these developments, and identifies which antipsychotics might treat cancer, and which cancers might be treated by antipsychotics. The review also describes the molecular mechanisms through which antipsychotics may inhibit cancer. Although the overlap of molecular pathways between schizophrenia and cancer have been known or suspected for many years, no comprehensive review of the subject has appeared in the psychiatric literature to assess the significance of these similarities. This review fills that gap and discusses what, if any, significance the similarities have regarding the etiology of schizophrenia.
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Siddiqui S, Deshmukh AJ, Mudaliar P, Nalawade AJ, Iyer D, Aich J. Drug repurposing: re-inventing therapies for cancer without re-entering the development pipeline—a review. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2022; 34:33. [PMID: 35934727 PMCID: PMC9358112 DOI: 10.1186/s43046-022-00137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While majority of the current treatment approaches for cancer remain expensive and are associated with several side effects, development of new treatment modalities takes a significant period of research, time, and expenditure. An alternative novel approach is drug repurposing that focuses on finding new applications for the previously clinically approved drugs. The process of drug repurposing has also been facilitated by current advances in the field of proteomics, genomics, and information computational biology. This approach not only provides cheaper, effective, and potentially safer drugs with less side effects but also increases the processing pace of drug development. In this review, we wish to highlight some recent developments in the area of drug repurposing in cancer with a specific focus on the repurposing potential of anti-psychotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral drugs, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal drugs.
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7
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Osacka J, Kiss A, Pirnik Z. Possible involvement of apoptosis in the antipsychotics side effects: A minireview. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2022; 49:836-847. [PMID: 35575958 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Antipsychotics are used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Generally they are divided into typical and atypical ones, according to the fact that atypical antipychotics induce less side effects and are more effective in terms of social and cognitive improvements. Their pharmacological effects are mediated via broad range of receptors that consequently influence different cellular signaling pathways. Antipsychotics produce udesirable side effects that range from relatively minor to life-threatening ones. In vitro and in vivo studies have pointed to neurotoxic effect exerted by some antipsychotics and have shown that apoptosis might play role in some side effects induced by antipsyschotics, including tardive dyskinesia, weight gain, agranulocytosis, osteoporosis, myocarditis, etc. Although cumulative data have suggested safety of atypical antipsychotics use during pregnancy some of them have been shown to induce apoptotic neurodegenerative and structural changes in fetal brains with long-lasting impact on cognitive impairment of offsprings. Typical antipsychotics seem to be more cytotoxic than atypical ones. Recently, epidemiological studies have shown lower incidence of cancer in schizophrenic patients what suggest ability of antipsychotics to suppress risk of cancer development. Some antipsychotics have been reported to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce their apoptosis. Thus, antipsychotics apoptotic effect may be used as a tool in the treatmnet of some types of cancer, especially in combinatorial therapies. In this minireview, we focused on pro- and anti-apototic or "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" effects of antipsychotics, which can be involved in their side effects, as well as their promising therapeutical indications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Osacka
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Alexander Kiss
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zdenko Pirnik
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 2, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam., 2Prague, Czech Republic
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8
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Chen VCH, Hsu TC, Lin CF, Huang JY, Chen YL, Tzang BS, McIntyre RS. Association of Risperidone With Gastric Cancer: Triangulation Method From Cell Study, Animal Study, and Cohort Study. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:846455. [PMID: 35444540 PMCID: PMC9013946 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.846455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To examine the effects of risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic agent, on gastric cancer. Methods: A triangulation method comprising bench studies, including cell and animal experiments, and a retrospective cohort study, was subsequently performed. Results: The bench study indicated that risperidone exerted more prominent tumor inhibition effects than other atypical antipsychotics on the proliferation of KATO-III cells, a human gastric cancer cell line. Significant and dose-dependent cell viability was observed in Hs27 cells (control cells) in the presence of risperidone compared with in KATO-III cells. Both in vivo and in vitro results indicated that risperidone significantly inhibited the proliferation of KATO-III cells by inducing ROS and apoptosis, and that it suppressed the growth of xenografted KATO-III tumors in nude mice. In addition, the population-based cohort study found that risperidone users had reduced risks of gastric cancer compared with non-users, with lowered adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for two induction periods (HR = 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68-0.83 for the one-year induction period, and HR = 0.68; 95% CI 0.61-0.75 for the two-year induction period). Conclusion: The findings are consistent with anticancer effects associated with risperidone, but further research and evaluations are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Chin-Hung Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Ching Hsu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Immunology Research Center, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung , Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Fan Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Child Psychiatry, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Yu Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lung Chen
- Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Show Tzang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Immunology Research Center, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung , Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Yue J, Zhang S, Zheng B, Raza F, Luo Z, Li X, Zhang Y, Nie Q, Qiu M. Efficacy and Mechanism of Active Fractions in Fruit of Amomum villosum Lour. for Gastric Cancer. J Cancer 2021; 12:5991-5998. [PMID: 34539873 PMCID: PMC8425199 DOI: 10.7150/jca.61310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Amomi Fructus is the dried ripe fruit of Amomum villosum Lour. (A. villosum). It is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine widely used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, while the efficacy or mechanism of main components in Amomi Fructus on cancer treatment remains unknown. In this study, volatile oil of A. villosum (VOAV), total flavonoids of A. villosum (FNAV) and the other residue of A. villosum (RFAV) were distilled, extracted and separated as different active fractions of A. villosum. The cell toxicity test results indicated that VOAV and FNAV can effectively inhibit the cell growth of MFC cells. Flow cytometry test results confirmed that MFC cells were caused apoptosis after being treated with VOAV, FNAV or RFAV. VOAV, FNAV or RFAV induced MFC cells apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mitochondrial pathway, evident by the increase of endogenous ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential collapse. In addition, FNAV exhibited robust inhibitory effects on MFC tumor growth, and could improve the health status of mice compared to that of mice in 5-FU treated group. To sum up, all the above results suggest that FNAV may be a good candidate for the development of new drugs for the treatment of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Yue
- School of Traditional Dai-Thai Medicine, West Yunnan University of Applied Sciences; Jinghong, Yunnan 666100, China
| | - Shulei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Faisal Raza
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zuhan Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- School of Traditional Dai-Thai Medicine, West Yunnan University of Applied Sciences; Jinghong, Yunnan 666100, China
| | - Yongyu Zhang
- School of Traditional Dai-Thai Medicine, West Yunnan University of Applied Sciences; Jinghong, Yunnan 666100, China
| | - Qu Nie
- School of Traditional Dai-Thai Medicine, West Yunnan University of Applied Sciences; Jinghong, Yunnan 666100, China
| | - Mingfeng Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240, China
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10
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STAT3 Pathway in Gastric Cancer: Signaling, Therapeutic Targeting and Future Prospects. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9060126. [PMID: 32545648 PMCID: PMC7345582 DOI: 10.3390/biology9060126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Molecular signaling pathways play a significant role in the regulation of biological mechanisms, and their abnormal expression can provide the conditions for cancer development. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a key member of the STAT proteins and its oncogene role in cancer has been shown. STAT3 is able to promote the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells and induces chemoresistance. Different downstream targets of STAT3 have been identified in cancer and it has also been shown that microRNA (miR), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and other molecular pathways are able to function as upstream mediators of STAT3 in cancer. In the present review, we focus on the role and regulation of STAT3 in gastric cancer (GC). miRs and lncRNAs are considered as potential upstream mediators of STAT3 and they are able to affect STAT3 expression in exerting their oncogene or onco-suppressor role in GC cells. Anti-tumor compounds suppress the STAT3 signaling pathway to restrict the proliferation and malignant behavior of GC cells. Other molecular pathways, such as sirtuin, stathmin and so on, can act as upstream mediators of STAT3 in GC. Notably, the components of the tumor microenvironment that are capable of targeting STAT3 in GC, such as fibroblasts and macrophages, are discussed in this review. Finally, we demonstrate that STAT3 can target oncogene factors to enhance the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells.
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Abstract
Being originally discovered as cellular recycling bins, lysosomes are today recognized as versatile signaling organelles that control a wide range of cellular functions that are essential not only for the well-being of normal cells but also for malignant transformation and cancer progression. In addition to their core functions in waste disposal and recycling of macromolecules and energy, lysosomes serve as an indispensable support system for malignant phenotype by promoting cell growth, cytoprotective autophagy, drug resistance, pH homeostasis, invasion, metastasis, and genomic integrity. On the other hand, malignant transformation reduces the stability of lysosomal membranes rendering cancer cells sensitive to lysosome-dependent cell death. Notably, many clinically approved cationic amphiphilic drugs widely used for the treatment of other diseases accumulate in lysosomes, interfere with their cancer-promoting and cancer-supporting functions and destabilize their membranes thereby opening intriguing possibilities for cancer therapy. Here, we review the emerging evidence that supports the supplementation of current cancer therapies with lysosome-targeting cationic amphiphilic drugs.
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